La NEM1 est un syndrome cancéreux affectant de nombreuses glandes endocrines, qui résulte d’une prédisposition génétique liée à des mutations du gène MEN1. La Menin, protéine codée par MEN1 possède de nombreux partenaires qui interviennent dans la dynamique de la chromatine, la régulation de la transcription et de la stabilité du génome. Le besoin de mieux connaître les fonctions biochimiques de la Menin m’a conduit à tenter de produire la protéine purifiée en grande quantité. Ce faisant, j’ai pu apporter des informations sur la structure de la Menin. Sur un plan fonctionnel, j’ai étudié l’interaction entre Menin et l’oncosuppresseur p53, et montré que certaines modifications post-traductionnelles de p53 déterminantes pour son activité et sa stabilité en réponse à un stress génotoxique, n’affectent pas l’interaction, rendant possible que ce soient des modifications de la Menin qui y jouent un rôle déterminant. J’ai ainsi montré que la Menin pouvait être mono-ubiquitinée. La Menin interfère également avec un autre régulateur du cycle cellulaire, la protéine RB dont elle semble réguler le niveau de phosphorylation et peut-être même la quantité totale dans la cellule. / MEN1 is a cancer syndrome affecting many endocrine glands, which results from a genetic predisposition related to mutations of the MEN1 gene. Menin, the protein encoded by MEN1 has many partners that play a role in the dynamics of chromatin and in the regulation of the transcription and of genome stability. The need for knowing better the biochemical functions of Menin led me to try to produce the purified protein in great quantity. By doing this, I could bring information on the structure of Menin. On a functional level, I studied the interaction between Menin and the oncosuppressor p53, and showed that certain post-translational modifications of p53 crucial for its activity and its stability in response to a genotoxic stress, do not affect the interaction, making possible that modifications of Menin play a determining role there. I thus showed that Menin could be monoubiquitinylated. Menin also interferes with another regulator of the cell cycle, the protein RB of which it seems to control the level of phosphorylation and perhaps even the total amount in the cell.

Long term memory (LTM) formation is a complex process involving signalling cascades, new protein synthesis and gene regulation. Increasing evidence demonstrates a role of intrinsic plasticity in memory formation, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain relatively unknown. LTM was established using an aversive operant conditioning model in Lymnaea stagnalis. Using intracellular electrophysiology in an isolated preparation, increased gain of firing frequency was observed in the RPeD1 neuron after LTM. This provides the first demonstration of intrinsic plasticity after operant conditioning in RPeD1, a neuron required for the conditioned behaviour and LTM. I also determined the contribution of the transcription factor men1 to plasticity. Using in vivo RNAi silencing, I found that men1 is required for LTM and increasing RPeD1 excitability during consolidation, demonstrating men1-mediated intrinsic plasticity is critical for LTM. I propose a new model of memory formation in which men1-dependent increase of excitability during consolidation is required for LTM.

Long term memory (LTM) formation is a complex process involving signalling cascades, new protein synthesis and gene regulation. Increasing evidence demonstrates a role of intrinsic plasticity in memory formation, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain relatively unknown. LTM was established using an aversive operant conditioning model in Lymnaea stagnalis. Using intracellular electrophysiology in an isolated preparation, increased gain of firing frequency was observed in the RPeD1 neuron after LTM. This provides the first demonstration of intrinsic plasticity after operant conditioning in RPeD1, a neuron required for the conditioned behaviour and LTM. I also determined the contribution of the transcription factor men1 to plasticity. Using in vivo RNAi silencing, I found that men1 is required for LTM and increasing RPeD1 excitability during consolidation, demonstrating men1-mediated intrinsic plasticity is critical for LTM. I propose a new model of memory formation in which men1-dependent increase of excitability during consolidation is required for LTM.

Les Tumeurs NeuroEndocrines Pancréatiques (TNEPs), qui se développent à partir des cellules endocrines des îlots de Langerhans, sont des tumeurs de caractéristiques diverses, sur le point hormonal, fonctionnel ou encore moléculaire. Leur diversité complexifie les diagnostics et les traitements pour les patients atteints. Depuis quelques années, la plasticité cellulaire du pancréas endocrine commence à être bien documentée dans des pathologies comme le diabète et les TNEPs. Les facteurs de croissance de la famille TGF-beta, connus pour leur rôle en cancérologie, sont impliqués dans le contrôle de l'expression des marqueurs d'identité des cellules beta. Mes travaux de thèse ont consisté à étudier la place de la plasticité cellulaire dans le développement d'insulinomes et d'identifier un facteur TGF-beta, impliqué dans ce processus. J'ai ainsi démontré un mécanisme de dédifférenciation des cellules beta tumorales, invalidées pour le gène Men1 chez la souris. De plus, j'ai identifié un ligand de la famille TGF-beta, l'ActivinB, surexprimé dans les insulinomes et responsable de la plasticité cellulaire. Des études complémentaires sur le modèle murin RipTag2, développant également des insulinomes, combinées à des analyses in cellulo, m'ont enfin permis de montrer le rôle de Menin dans l'expression de ce ligand, grâce à la régulation épigénétique, notamment les modifications d'histones. Mes travaux ont ainsi permis de mettre en évidence l'ActivinB comme un nouvel acteur dans la plasticité des cellules beta endocrines, tumorales ou non. La détection d'ActivinB pourra être utilisée à des fins diagnostiques/pronostiques chez des patients atteints de TNEPs. Enfin, mes travaux démontrent que la diversité des TNEPs ne se restreint pas seulement à leurs caractéristiques hormonales, leur fonctionnalité ou leur capacité de prolifération, mais qu'elle est également due à leur origine cellulaire et les mécanismes de tumorigenèse, qui se mettent en place. Ainsi, une caractérisation moléculaire approfondie de ces tumeurs chez l'homme semble désormais essentielle pour affiner la classification, le diagnostic et enfin les thérapies pour les patients atteints des TNEPs / Pancreatic NeuroEndocrine Tumors (PNETs), which develop from endocrine cells in Langerhans islets, present a wide array of hormonal, functional or molecular characteristics. Their diversity complicates the diagnosis and the treatment of affected patients. In recent years, the cellular plasticity of the endocrine pancreas begins to be well documented in pathologies like diabetes or PNETs. Growth factors of TGF-beta family, known for their role in cancer, are involved in the control of beta cell identity marker expression. My PhD work was aiming at studying the role of cell plasticity in insulinoma development and identifying the potent contribution of a subset of members of the TGF-beta superfamily in this mechanism. Using mice model, I proved a mechanism of dedifferentiation in tumor endocrine beta cells, invalidated for Men1 gene. Moreover, I identified a TGF beta member, ActivinB, to be overexpressed in insulinomas and responsible of cellular plasticity. Using a combination of studies based on the RipTag2 mice, that also develop insulinomas, and in cellulo analyses, I further highlighted the role of Menin in the controlled-expression of ActivinB through an epigenetic mechanism, involving histone mark modifications. Therefore, my thesis works permitted to demonstrate that ActivinB represents a novel actor of endocrine beta cell plasticity. More importantly it highlights the possible use of ActivinB for diagnostic/prognostic purposes for PNETs patients. Finally, my work demonstrates that PNETs diversity is not only restricted to hormonal, functional or proliferative features, but shows that both the cell origin and mechanisms of tumorigenesis may actively contribute to the observed tumor heterogeneity. Thus, further molecular and cellular characterization of PNETs appears essential to refine the classification, diagnosis and therapeutics for patients

Multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 1 (MEN1) is an autosomal dominantly inherited disease, which is described as an association of tumors mainly in endocrine organs, including pancreas and adrenal glands. Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) are the most common cause of death in MEN1 patients. More than one third of the MEN1 patients also develop enlargement of the adrenals. MEN1 is caused by a germline mutation of MEN1 gene, a tumor suppressor gene that is located on the human chromosome 11. As noticed, the MEN1 related tumors often develop prior to inactivation of both wild type alleles, indicating MEN1 haploinsufficiency. In this thesis, I utilized a conventional Men1 mouse model that has the phenotype mimicking the human MEN 1 traits, in order to investigate MEN1 tumorigenesis in endocrine pancreas and adrenal glands.   The microvascular aberrations contributing to development and maintenance of PNETs were characterized. The increased vascular density of PNETs developed in the Men1 mice was paralleled by an early and extensive redistribution of pericytes within endocrine tissue. These morphological alterations were supported by fine-tuned variations in expression of several angiogenic regulators  (VEGF, FGF and PDGF) and were further potentiated by hypoxia. Vascular reactivity and blood perfusion of tumor arterioles were significantly altered in response to glucose and L-nitro-arginine methyl ester. Investigation of adrenals from10-month-old Men1 mice showed 681 proteins in mass spectrometry data sets, in which 52 proteins were commonly found in the Men1+/+ and Men1+/- adrenals, and the differential expression between the genotypes reached significant levels. Prdx3, catalyzing the reduction of oxidative stress to cell survival, is one of the overexpressed proteins. Some proteins belonging to the PPARα pathway, e.g. ACLY were also overexpressed. Subsequent microRNA (miRNA) profiling analysis of adrenals from the same age group revealed 31 miRNAs whose expression was significantly altered in comparison between the genotypes. The tumor suppressor miRNAs, miR-486, miR-330 and miR-214, were significantly downregulated in Men1+/- adrenals. The latter, miR-214, is known to inhibit ACLY expression. This finding was in concordance with the proteomic analysis. The oncogene miRNAs, miR-132 and miR-494, were significantly enhanced in the Men1+/- adrenals. Gene ontology analysis demonstrated overrepresentation of the miRNA-targeted genes that are involved in nucleic acid metabolism, vasculature development, angiogenesis, and transcription. Together, these finding after validation in humans may be exploited to improve MEN1 cancer treatment.

Contexto: A neoplasia endócrina múltipla tipo 1 (NEM1) é uma doença familiar com padrão de herança autossômica dominante, caracterizada por uma susceptibilidade genética aumentada ao desenvolvimento de tumores nas paratireóides (HPT), hipófise (PIT) e células endócrinas do pâncreas e do duodeno (PET). A descoberta do gene MEN1 propiciou a identificação de mutação nos casos- índices e nos familiares sob-risco. O Consenso Internacional de NEM1 (2001) sugeriu a realização periódica de exames hormonais e radiológicos em portadores de mutação germinativa MEN1, visando o diagnóstico precoce de tumores. As idades de início do rastreamento se basearam na descrição do caso mais jovem para cada tipo tumoral. O novo Consenso internacional de NEM1 (2012), mantendo este critério, sugeriu antecipar o início do rastreamento de tumores endócrinos pancreáticos não funcionantes (NF-PET) dos 20 para os 10 anos de idade, baseando-se no relato de dois casos jovens. A penetrância, a prevalência e o fenótipo dos tumores NEM1 em jovens com idade <21 anos ainda não foram satisfatoriamente determinados Objetivo: Avaliar a penetrância, a prevalência e o impacto clínico de tumores diagnosticados na 2ª década de vida em portadores de mutação germinativa MEN1 Casuística: É constituída por 113 portadores de mutação MEN1. Dois subgrupos foram selecionados para avaliar a penetrância e a prevalência na 2ª década: 27, avaliados durante a 2ª década e; 24, com início de sintomas relacionados à NEM1 nesta faixa etária (< 21anos) e diagnóstico após esta idade. Resultados: Considerando os 113 casos com NEM1, a distribuição percentual de casos diagnosticados ou com sintomas relacionados que se iniciaram na 2ª década de vida com HPT, PET, insulinoma, gastrinoma, NF-PET, PIT, prolactinoma e NF-PIT foi respectivamente: 29,5; 10,5; 25; 0; 10; 33,9; 48,5, e; 15,8%. Na segunda década, a penetrância de HPT, PET e PIT foi 66,7%, 42,1 % e 54,5% enquanto que a prevalência destes tumores foi de 76,2% %, 50% e 60%. A metade dos casos deste grupo jovem, com presença de tumores na 2ª década, era sintomática (52.4%; 11/21) sendo que os sintomas relacionados ao prolactinoma eram os mais prevalentes na admissão (81,8%) seguidos dos relacionados ao insulinoma (18,2%) e HPT (9%). Prolactinoma foi o tumor hipofisário mais prevalente (75%) e clinicamente relevante, sendo que 55,6% deles eram macroadenomas (>= 10 mm). PITs não funcionantes (NF-PIT) foram menos frequentes (3/12; 25%) e se apresentaram como microadenomas incipientes. NF-PETs foram frequentes na segunda década (8/16; 50%) e clinicamente relevantes uma vez que 62,5% dos casos tinha indicação cirúrgica. Insulinomas basicamente representaram os PETs funcionantes nesta faixa etária. Apesar da maioria dos casos com HPT serem assintomáticos ao diagnóstico (15/16; 93.8%), um quarto deles (25%) apresentaram nefrolitíase antes dos 20 anos. Conclusões: HPT, prolactinomas, insulinomas e NF-PETs representam os tumores relacionados à NEM1 de maior relevância clínica durante a 2ª década de vida. Nossos dados indicam que um rastreamento clínico/hormonal e radiológico ostensivo deve ser conduzido direcionado ao diagnóstico destes tumores em jovens portadores de mutação germinativa MEN1 / Context: Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is an autosomal dominant inherited disorder with high susceptibility to developing endocrine tumors in pituitary (PIT) and parathyroids glands (HPT) and endocrine cells from duodenum and pancreatic islets (PET). Genetic status of index cases and at-risk familial members was possible after MEN1 gene discovery. Genetic screening of MEN1 families has substantially improved the clinical management of MEN1. In order to reach an early diagnosis, the Consensus on MEN1 (2001) established periodic hormonal/radiological exams in MEN1 carriers with beginning to each tumor type based on younger case age reported so far. Recently, non-functioning PETs (NF- PET) were described in two cases in younger ages (2nd decade) than that defined by Consensus (20 y-old or more). Recently, the 2012 clinical practice guideline on MEN1 suggested the anticipation of the screening for NF-PETs from 20 to 10 years of age. However, data on the penetrance of MEN1-related tumors in young MEN1 patients (<21y-old) are scarce. Objective: Estimate the penetrance, prevalence and clinical impact resultant of the early diagnosis of MEN1-related tumors in young MEN1 carriers. Design: Data obtained from a MEN1 screening program (1996- 2012). Setting: Tertiary academic reference center. Patients: 27 young MEN1 cases prospectively followed during the first two decades of life, belonging to an overall casuistic of 113 MEN1 cases harboring MEN1 germline mutations; Methods: Appropriate biochemical and imaging studies. Results: In the present setting, the percentage values of the each one of the MEN1-related tumors recognized during 2nd decade in our 113 MEN1 cases were: HPT (29.5%); PET (10.5%); insulinoma (25%); gastrinoma (0%), non-functioning PET (10%); PIT (33.9%), prolactinoma (48.5%); and NF-PIT (15.8%). In 27 MEN1-mutation positive patients younger than 21y-old, the penetrance and prevalence of HPT, PET and PIT were, respectively, 66.7%, 42.1%, 54.5% and 76.2%, 50%, 60%. Half of young cases were asymptomatic. Symptoms were mostly related with prolactinoma (81.8%), insulinoma (18.2%) and HPT (9%). Prolactinoma was highly prevalent (75%) and most (55.5%) were macroadenoma. NF-PITs (25%) had no clinical relevance. Asymptomatic NF-PETs were frequent (50%) and relevant clinically (62.5%). Considering the functioning PETs, only insulinoma was present in young MEN1 subset. One quarter of all HPT patients exhibited MEN1-related urolithiasis in the second decade. Conclusions: Our MEN1 series documented a high prevalence of clinically relevant HPT, prolactinoma, insulinoma and NF-PETs and its comorbidities during the second decade of life. These data suggest the need for strict surveillance of these tumors in MEN1 mutation carriers during late childhood and adolescence

Contexto: A neoplasia endócrina múltipla tipo 1 (NEM1) é uma doença familiar com padrão de herança autossômica dominante, caracterizada por uma susceptibilidade genética aumentada ao desenvolvimento de tumores nas paratireóides (HPT), hipófise (PIT) e células endócrinas do pâncreas e do duodeno (PET). A descoberta do gene MEN1 propiciou a identificação de mutação nos casos- índices e nos familiares sob-risco. O Consenso Internacional de NEM1 (2001) sugeriu a realização periódica de exames hormonais e radiológicos em portadores de mutação germinativa MEN1, visando o diagnóstico precoce de tumores. As idades de início do rastreamento se basearam na descrição do caso mais jovem para cada tipo tumoral. O novo Consenso internacional de NEM1 (2012), mantendo este critério, sugeriu antecipar o início do rastreamento de tumores endócrinos pancreáticos não funcionantes (NF-PET) dos 20 para os 10 anos de idade, baseando-se no relato de dois casos jovens. A penetrância, a prevalência e o fenótipo dos tumores NEM1 em jovens com idade <21 anos ainda não foram satisfatoriamente determinados Objetivo: Avaliar a penetrância, a prevalência e o impacto clínico de tumores diagnosticados na 2ª década de vida em portadores de mutação germinativa MEN1 Casuística: É constituída por 113 portadores de mutação MEN1. Dois subgrupos foram selecionados para avaliar a penetrância e a prevalência na 2ª década: 27, avaliados durante a 2ª década e; 24, com início de sintomas relacionados à NEM1 nesta faixa etária (< 21anos) e diagnóstico após esta idade. Resultados: Considerando os 113 casos com NEM1, a distribuição percentual de casos diagnosticados ou com sintomas relacionados que se iniciaram na 2ª década de vida com HPT, PET, insulinoma, gastrinoma, NF-PET, PIT, prolactinoma e NF-PIT foi respectivamente: 29,5; 10,5; 25; 0; 10; 33,9; 48,5, e; 15,8%. Na segunda década, a penetrância de HPT, PET e PIT foi 66,7%, 42,1 % e 54,5% enquanto que a prevalência destes tumores foi de 76,2% %, 50% e 60%. A metade dos casos deste grupo jovem, com presença de tumores na 2ª década, era sintomática (52.4%; 11/21) sendo que os sintomas relacionados ao prolactinoma eram os mais prevalentes na admissão (81,8%) seguidos dos relacionados ao insulinoma (18,2%) e HPT (9%). Prolactinoma foi o tumor hipofisário mais prevalente (75%) e clinicamente relevante, sendo que 55,6% deles eram macroadenomas (>= 10 mm). PITs não funcionantes (NF-PIT) foram menos frequentes (3/12; 25%) e se apresentaram como microadenomas incipientes. NF-PETs foram frequentes na segunda década (8/16; 50%) e clinicamente relevantes uma vez que 62,5% dos casos tinha indicação cirúrgica. Insulinomas basicamente representaram os PETs funcionantes nesta faixa etária. Apesar da maioria dos casos com HPT serem assintomáticos ao diagnóstico (15/16; 93.8%), um quarto deles (25%) apresentaram nefrolitíase antes dos 20 anos. Conclusões: HPT, prolactinomas, insulinomas e NF-PETs representam os tumores relacionados à NEM1 de maior relevância clínica durante a 2ª década de vida. Nossos dados indicam que um rastreamento clínico/hormonal e radiológico ostensivo deve ser conduzido direcionado ao diagnóstico destes tumores em jovens portadores de mutação germinativa MEN1 / Context: Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is an autosomal dominant inherited disorder with high susceptibility to developing endocrine tumors in pituitary (PIT) and parathyroids glands (HPT) and endocrine cells from duodenum and pancreatic islets (PET). Genetic status of index cases and at-risk familial members was possible after MEN1 gene discovery. Genetic screening of MEN1 families has substantially improved the clinical management of MEN1. In order to reach an early diagnosis, the Consensus on MEN1 (2001) established periodic hormonal/radiological exams in MEN1 carriers with beginning to each tumor type based on younger case age reported so far. Recently, non-functioning PETs (NF- PET) were described in two cases in younger ages (2nd decade) than that defined by Consensus (20 y-old or more). Recently, the 2012 clinical practice guideline on MEN1 suggested the anticipation of the screening for NF-PETs from 20 to 10 years of age. However, data on the penetrance of MEN1-related tumors in young MEN1 patients (<21y-old) are scarce. Objective: Estimate the penetrance, prevalence and clinical impact resultant of the early diagnosis of MEN1-related tumors in young MEN1 carriers. Design: Data obtained from a MEN1 screening program (1996- 2012). Setting: Tertiary academic reference center. Patients: 27 young MEN1 cases prospectively followed during the first two decades of life, belonging to an overall casuistic of 113 MEN1 cases harboring MEN1 germline mutations; Methods: Appropriate biochemical and imaging studies. Results: In the present setting, the percentage values of the each one of the MEN1-related tumors recognized during 2nd decade in our 113 MEN1 cases were: HPT (29.5%); PET (10.5%); insulinoma (25%); gastrinoma (0%), non-functioning PET (10%); PIT (33.9%), prolactinoma (48.5%); and NF-PIT (15.8%). In 27 MEN1-mutation positive patients younger than 21y-old, the penetrance and prevalence of HPT, PET and PIT were, respectively, 66.7%, 42.1%, 54.5% and 76.2%, 50%, 60%. Half of young cases were asymptomatic. Symptoms were mostly related with prolactinoma (81.8%), insulinoma (18.2%) and HPT (9%). Prolactinoma was highly prevalent (75%) and most (55.5%) were macroadenoma. NF-PITs (25%) had no clinical relevance. Asymptomatic NF-PETs were frequent (50%) and relevant clinically (62.5%). Considering the functioning PETs, only insulinoma was present in young MEN1 subset. One quarter of all HPT patients exhibited MEN1-related urolithiasis in the second decade. Conclusions: Our MEN1 series documented a high prevalence of clinically relevant HPT, prolactinoma, insulinoma and NF-PETs and its comorbidities during the second decade of life. These data suggest the need for strict surveillance of these tumors in MEN1 mutation carriers during late childhood and adolescence

Les mutations du gène MEN1 prédisposent au syndrome des Néoplasies Endocriniennes Multiples de type 1 (NEM1), caractérisé par des tumeurs endocrines multiples. Les souris hétérozygotes pour Men1 développent des tumeurs similaires, ainsi que des cancers de la prostate et des glandes mammaires, avec une incidence faible. J’ai pu montrer que l’expression de la protéine menin, codée par ce gène, est totalement inactivée dans les carcinomes prostatiques développés chez ces souris et est associée à une dérégulation de l’expression du récepteur aux androgènes et une inactivation de l’inhibiteur des CDK p27, un gène cible connu de menin. Des souris WapCre-Men1 F/F, où le gène Men1 est invalidé dans les cellules mammaires, développent des néoplasies intraépithéliales mammaires (MIN) avec une forte incidence à partir de 9 mois. Une fuite d’expression du transgène WapCre dans l’hypophyse entraîne en plus le développement de prolactinomes chez ces souris, les conduisant à une mort prématurée. Par diverses analyses, j’ai pu déterminer que l’augmentation de l’incidence de ces lésions ne pouvait pas être seulement expliquée par l’influence des prolactinomes. De manière intéressante, j’ai pu mettre en évidence une nette diminution du marquage membranaire de beta-caténine, un partenaire connu de menin, ainsi que de E-cadhérine dans les lésions MIN, suggérant une altération de la cohésion cellulaire en absence de menin. L’ensemble des données obtenues pendant ma thèse indiquent un rôle potentiel de l’invalidation du gène Men1 dans le développement de carcinomes prostatiques et de néoplasies mammaires chez la souris / Mutations of the MEN1 gene predispose to multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) syndrome, characterized by the occurrence of multiple endocrine tumours. Heterozygous Men1 mutant mice not only recapitulate MEN1 pathology, but also display prostatic and mammary carcinomas with a low incidence. I showed that the expression of menin, coded by the Men1 gene, was completely inactivated in the prostatic carcinomas developed in these mice. Deregulated expression of androgen receptor and the inactivation of p27 CDK inhibitor, a menin target gene, were also found in these lesions. In addition, my data demonstrated that mammary-specific disruption of the Men1 gene in mice led to high incidence of mammary intraepithelial neoplasia (MIN) from 9 months of age in the mutant mice. An unexpected leakage activity of the WapCre transgene in pituitary resulted in the development of prolactinomas and premature death in the mutant mice. Several analyses provided evidence showing that the increased incidence of MIN lesions could not be simply explained by the influence of prolactinomas. Interestingly, we observed a strong reduction of beta-catenin, a known menin partner, and E-cadherin membrane expression in these lesions, suggesting an alteration of cellular adhesion in the absence of menin. On the whole, these data indicate a potential implication of Men1 disruption in the development of prostate carcinomas and mammary intraepithelial neoplasia in mice

La Néoplasie Endocrinienne Multiple de type1 (NEM1) est une maladie à transmission autosomique dominante liée à l'inactivation du gène MEN1 codant pour la protéine ménine. Bien que ménine soit exprimée dans tous les tissus testés de l'organisme, elle n'a un effet oncosuppresseur que dans les cellules endocrines. L'hypothèse de mon travail est que ménine interagit avec des fonctions endocrines spécifiques. J'ai ciblé mes études sur une lignée de cellules β pancréatiques INS-1 dans laquelle j'ai étudié la réponse cellulaire au glucose et la régulation du facteur de transcription MAFA en fonction de la variation de l'expression de ménine. Nos résultats ont démontré que l'inhibition de ménine augmente l'incorporation de BrdU en réponse au glucose dans les cellules INS-1, ainsi que l'expression de plusieurs gènes impliqués dans la prolifération de ces cellules. Cette inhibition de ménine est associée avec une réduction dramatique de l'expression de MafA, et celle de certains gènes cibles de MafA. Par ailleurs, la surexpression de la forme sauvage, et non pas des formes mutées de ménine, stimule l'expression de MafA. La variation de l'expression de MafA étant également associée à une variation du taux de prolifération cellulaire. D'autre part, les études in vivo ont montré une bonne corrélation entre le niveau d'expression de ménine et celui de MafA dans les insulinomes du rat et de l'homme. En conclusion, mon travail de thèse a permis de mieux clarifier la fonction biologique de ménine dans les cellules β, et de mettre en évidence l'implication potentielle du facteur MafA dans la tumorigénèse des insulinomes / Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is an autosomal dominant inherited syndrome caused by mutations of the MEN1 gene coding for the protein menin. Although menin is expressed in all tested tissues, its oncosuppressor effect is limited to the endocrine cells. The assumption of my work was that menin interact with specific endocrine functions. To check out this assumption, we selected the β pancreatic cell line INS-1 in which, we analysed the cellular response to glucose stimulation and the regulation of the transcription factor MAFA according to the variation of menin expression. Our results showed that menin inhibition increased BudU incorporation in response to glucose stimulation in INS-1 cells, as well as the expression of several genes involved in the proliferation of these cells. Menin inhibition was associated with a dramatic reduction of MafA expression level, and some of its targeted genes. Interestingly, wild type menin overexpression, but not mutant forms, stimulated MafA expression. Interestingly, modification of MafA expression modified proliferation rate of INS-1 cells. In addition, the in vivo studies, showed a good correlation between menin and MafA expression levels in both rat and human insulinoma. In conclusion, my thesis work results clarified the biological function of menin in β cells, and highlighted the potential implication of MafA factor in insulinoma tumorigenesis

Les mutations du gène suppresseur de tumeur MEN1 sont connues depuis de nombreuses années, pour être à l'origine du syndrome des Néoplasies endocriniennes multiples de type 1 (Syndrome des NEM1). Ce syndrome constitue une maladie héréditaire associée à une perte d'hétérozygotie progressive du gène MEN1, affectant principalement les organes endocrines. Plus récemment, l'implication du gène MEN1 a émergé dans la tumorigénèse d'autres organes, et plus particulièrement dans dans le cancer du sein et le cancer de la prostate, où son rôle reste encore très controversé. Pour mieux déterminer le rôle joué par menin dans les cellules prostatiques (oncogène ou gène suppresseur), mon projet de thèse avait donc pour but de caractériser un nouveau modèle murin d'invalidation du gène Men1 spécifiquement dans les cellules luminales de la glande prostatique, le modèle Men1F/F Nkx3.1CreERT2+/-. Les examens anatomopathologiques réalisés sur ce nouveau modèle murin ont montré que la perte d'expression du gène Men1 conduisait à une accélération de la tumorigénèse dans la glande prostatique par rapport aux souris contrôles. D'autre part les analyses moléculaires issues de l'étude de notre nouveau modèle murin, ont montré que l'expression du récepteur aux androgènes (RA) était diminué dans les cellules déficientes pour le gène Men1 . Des analyses menées in vitro ont montré que la protéine menin, codée par le gène MEN1, joue le rôle de régulateur transcriptionnel du RA. De la même manière, mes travaux ont mis en évidence, que la protéine menin semble réguler l'expression du récepteur aux estrogènes alpha (RE?), en liant la région promotrice de ce dernier dans des lignées cellulaires du cancer du sein. De plus, les analyses cliniques ont révélé que l'expression réduite de menin corrélée avec la survenue du sous type luminal B du cancer du sein, connue pour exprimer faiblement le RE??Ainsi mes travaux de thèse ont permis de conforter notre hypothèse sur le rôle oncosuppressif du gène MEN1 dans le glande prostatique. D'autre part, nous avons mis en évidence l'implication de la protéine menin dans la régulation de l'expression des récepteurs nucléaires, dans le cancer du sein et de la prostate / For a long time, mutations of the MEN1 gene have been known to be responsible of the Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type 1 (MEN1 syndrome), a hereditary disease affecting mainly endocrine organs. Recent advances highlighted the involvement of the MEN1 gene in the development of the breast cancer and prostate cancer. Nevertheless, the role played by the MEN1 gene in prostate cancer still remains unclear, described as on oncogene by some studies, or as a tumor suppressor by others. To further adress this issue, we generated a novel and inductible mouse model, Men1F/F-Nkx3.1Cre-/+, in which the Men1 gene can be specifically disrupted in luminal prostatic cells upon tamoxifen injection. Anatomopathologic examination of our model showed that the Men1 gene disruption accelerate the tumorigenesis in the prostatic gland compared to the control mice. Moreover, molecular analyses showed that the expression of androgen receptor (AR) decreased in Men1-deficient cells. In vitro study perfomed in prostate cancer cell lines showed that menin protein encoded by the Men1 gene is involved in the transcriptionnal regulation of AR.Similarly, my work showed that menin protein also involved in the transcriptionnal regulation of the estrogen receptor alpha (ER?) expression, through its binding on the promoter of the ER??gene. Moreover, clinical study revealed that decrease in menin expression correlates with the occurrence of luminal B subtype of breast cancer, in which ER??expression is reduced. Thus this thesis work, allowed to better characterized the oncosuppressive role of the Men1 gene in the prostatic gland. This work, also highlighted for the first time the involvement of menin protein in the regulation of nuclear receptor expression, in prostate and breast cancer